Question

Why is the human body a good conductor of electricity?

Answer 1

Hint: The human body is mainly composed of water and charged particles. The cells in the human body contain different ions like chlorine ion, potassium ion, sodium ion, which possess the tendency to conduct electricity. This makes the body a good conductor of electricity. The electrical conductivity of the human body varies for different organs like muscle, liver, and blood. The skin is the least conductive part.

Complete answer:
Electricity is constituted by the flow of charges and ions.
Similar to all atoms, the copper wire running to the outlets in the houses is made up of atoms. Atoms possess a nucleus at the center, which is made of particles called protons and neutrons. Neutrons are electrically neutral. But protons are positively charged. These protons keep the negatively charged electrons, swarming around the nucleus like a cloud. The opposite charges attract each other.
Each copper atom possesses 29 electrons, orbiting the nucleus. A short length of copper wire is made up of millions and millions of copper atoms. In metals like aluminum and copper, electrons escape the hold of the nucleus easily and wander from atom to atom like nomads. The copper atoms’ footloose electrons begin to drift in a specific direction when a wire is connected to a working electric circuit.
The stream of electrons, which are jumping from atom to atom, is capable of leaping from toaster wires to fork and then to hand. Thus, like other metals, the human body is also a good conductor.
Ordinary water consists of dissolved minerals and salts and conducts electricity too. So, lifeguards ask everyone out of the swimming pool during storms, lightning, and thunder.
If hands are wet and electrical points are touched, current flows through water and wet hands. This results in pain and dangerous shock. This happens as the body is running on its electricity and muscles are powered by tiny currents. The muscles in the hand react to the current by contraction, creating a buzzing and twitching feeling.

Note:
It is advised not to touch any electrical outlet with wet hands. The hairdryers should be kept away from bathtubs and sinks. Metal fork should not be put in a toaster to unstick the toast. If the body is not grounded like standing on a plank of wood, nothing happens and no current flows through the body. Low voltages and low current gives jitters to the people and interfere with heart rhythm. At high voltages like 110+ V, people will get damage to the nervous system, leading to death.